Stretcher or emergency-carrier.



No. 675,409. Patcnted June 4, l90l. J. W. PETTEE.

STBETCHER 0R EMERGENCY CARRIER.

(Application filed Mar. 5, 1901.)

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Mirth STATES i ATENT OFFICE.

JOHN "W. PETTEE, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO GEORGE TV. COOK AND SELDEN M. FRENCH, OF SAME PLACE.

lEi'l'RETQl-IER OR EMERGENGY EARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 675,4t09, dated June 4, 1901.

Application filed March 5, 1901. Serial No. 49,795. (lie model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. Pnrrnn, acitizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of 0010- rado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretchers or Emergency- Oarriers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in re the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

r5 My present invention relates to certain new anduseful improvements in stretchers; and the ob ect of my invention is the production of a simple and yet very efficient stretcher possessing the advantage of convertibility, the

construction enabling the use of the stretcher for conveying patients in a sitting and also in a lying position. m

Other advantages possessed by my improved stretcher will be found set forth in the following description, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of a stretcher embodying my invention, the construction exhibited being especially designed for conveying dead persons. Fig. 2 isaplan view of a stretcher embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a view of the stretcher shown in Fig. 2 converted into a chair for conveying patients in a sitting position. Fig. 4 is a perspective 3 5 view of the stretcher in its folded position.

Referring to the said drawings by reference-numerals, 5 denotes the body of the stretcher, which is preferably made of stout canvas. Ears 6 6, of canvas or other suitable 4o material, are sewed or otherwise secured to the side edges of the body at intervals, which ears receive rigid handles 7 7, the middle portion, which is grasped, being left exposed. At least four handles are provided, and when conveying a person in outstretched position two or more side bearers are required. I have provided, however, in addition to the side handles canvas or other loop handles 10 10 at the ends, and when using these handles only two head and foot bearers are necessary.

It will be noted that the handles 7 do not extend to the center of the body 5, and the stretcher is thereby capable of being folded,

as indicated in Fig. 3, to form a chair for such patients as are sufficiently strong to assume, with or without some assistance, a sitting position while being conveyed. The front edge of the converted stretcher is folded, as shown at 5. When using the converted stretcher, or what I for convenience term the chair, two bearers are required, who grasp the side handies '7 with one hand and use the other hand,

if the patient be too weak, to support his back. After being folded, as in Fig. 3, the stretcher can be rolled into very small compass, as shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 1 is shown a stretcher constructed similarly to that illustrated in Fig. 2, but provided in addition with a headpiece 8, having loop-handles 8, and with straps 9 to encircle the shoulders. The stretcher with the additional features is especially designed for use in conveying dead persons.

In addition to the advantages above enumerated my improved stretcher possesses the quality of lightness of Weight and durability. The construction being simple, the stretchers may be inexpensively made and readily repaired.

The stretcher when collapsed may be inserted in a metallic or other tube for safe keeping.

I claim as my invention-- l. A foldable stretcher comprising a body of textile material, rigid handles permanently secured at each side of the center of the body whereby said body is free to be centrally folded transversely to form a chair and then rolled, and flexible loophandles at the ends of the body.

2. A foldable stretcher comprising a body of textile material, rigid handles permanently secured at each side of the center of the body whereby said body is free to be centrally 5 folded transversely to form a chair and then rolled, flexible loop-handles at the ends of the body, a headpiece and shoulder-straps.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN "W. PETTEE.

Witnesses:

H. J. INGERSOLL, A. H. J AOOBSON. 

